Experimenting on growing potatoes in one of those grow-potato bags/containers!
Growing Potatoes
Potato Growing Guide
Sow
- if cutting up potatoes to regrow, cut up 2 days earlier. Gives time for potato to heal and form protective layer over cuts. Good for moisture retention & rot resistance.
- don’t pack potatoes tightly when planting. About 5-7 inches apart. Cover with about 10cm soil layer. As shoots appear, add more layers to cover them. Continue to rim of container.
- eyes face upwards
Harvest
- 60-90 days after planting
- harvest only after foliage has died back. Cut browning foliate to the ground. Wait 10-14 days. This allows potatoes to grow a thick enough skin. But don’t wait too long. Potatoes will rot.
- allow harvested potatoes to sit for up to 14 days, in a cool dry place to ensure skin cures and then can be kept longer
Soil
- loose well drained
Drought/Frost Tolerant
- —
Feeding
- couple of liquid feeds during growing time (before foliage reaches top of container) – balanced organic fertiliser (e.g. seaweed extract)
Care/Watering
- water regularly during tubers stage
- container potatoes: water regularly as they grow to tubers and once the foliage has filled out. Don’t drown them. Just keep soil moist
- Well watered but not soggy
Companions
cabbage family, corn, eggplant, flax pea
Enemies
cucumber, melons, pumpkin, raspberry, squash, sunflower, tomato
Other Notes
- do not eat green potatoes (poisonous)
- storing apples with potatoes will cause potatoes to rot
Our Potato Progress
Using the grow-potato container.
Result: didn’t work. Had very small potatoes. Might be positioning.
2018: Tried in gunny sack (hessian). Side back garden.
Result: didn’t work. Tiny potatoes. Might be due to neglect!!! But I finally got lots of earthworms. We had not been able to find any for 6 years!!!
27 Sept 2019
Replanting the tiny potatoes from above. Next to back stairs.
xxx
References:
- How to successfully Grow Potatoes in Containers (growveg.com.au)
- Potatoes (almanac.com)
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